cantrip
Americannoun
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Chiefly Scot. a magic spell; trick by sorcery.
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Chiefly British. artful shamming meant to deceive.
noun
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a magic spell
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(often plural) a mischievous trick
adjective
Etymology
Origin of cantrip
1710–20; apparently dissimilated variant of Old English calcatrippe; see caltrop
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
To fellow brokers downstairs on the floor of the Stock Exchange he had merely whispered the compelling cantrip of the bulls: "I've got a good thing!"
From Time Magazine Archive
It is a strange cantrip, Mary," said the General; "I suppose you'll be going to give him something.
From Gilian The Dreamer His Fancy, His Love and Adventure by Neil Munro
And that old witch, Eliza— I little guessed she’d play this cantrip on me: But what a jest—Jerusalem, what a jest!
From Krindlesyke by Wilfrid Wilson Gibson
Thence mystic knots mak great abuse On young guidmen, fond, keen an' crouse, When the best wark-lume i' the house, By cantrip wit, Is instant made no worth a louse, Just at the bit.
From Poems and Songs of Robert Burns by Robert Burns
Coffins stood round, like open presses, That shaw'd the dead in their last dresses; And by some devilish cantrip slight, Each in its cauld hand held a light.—
From Tam O'Shanter by Harry L. Miller
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